Local singer/songwriter traveling a country road

BY GENEVIEVE ROY

SPECIAL

TO THE

LANDMARK

Home town girl Erin Ollis has set her sites on Nashville as she carves out a country music career. Holden’s Erin Ollis is a rising country singer and songwriter, bringing Nashville to New England, lighting up stages across the state and racking up awards along the way.

The 21-year-old began singing in fifth grade, but Ollis’ interest in country music ignited when Wachusett Regional High School’s honors choir was invited to perform alongside Kenny Rogers for his Christmas concerts at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort.

Ollis spent her freshman year of college at Franklin Pierce University studying classical voice performance, but she could feel country music calling.

“I knew I wanted to entertain as well as sing,” Ollis said, adding it was the infectious energy in “getting the crowd going, getting everyone excited” that pulled her away from opera and toward the Opry.

Ollis turned to Bristol Studios, a Worcester-based studio specializing in vocal training and artist development, for her musical makeover. The studio helped her transition to a style more Sara Evans than Sarah Brightman, and encouraged the singer to showcase her talent by joining the competition circuit.

In April 2011, Ollis debuted her new sound at the New England Country Music Organization’s Star Search in Chelmsford. Her take on Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine” clinched the title of Female Vocalist of the Year and secured her a spot at the North American Country Music Association International Competition in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., in March. Her rendition of Martina McBride’s “Ride” earned her the title of Future Star Female Vocalist of the Year.

Ollis cites the competition for giving her the confidence to pursue performing more.

One year later, Ollis’ repertoire includes singing the national anthem for the Worcester Sharks and performing at the recent Boston Walk for Hunger.

An accomplished guitarist and songwriter, she showcases originals as well as covers in concert. Her latest song, “Heartbreaker,” conjures country’s resident tough-girl Miranda Lambert with the powerhouse pipes of Carrie Underwood.

So will Ollis take her act to TV, like American Idol alum Carrie? Ollis did score a live audition in New York with NBC’s smash series The Voice, but she had to pass up the opportunity because of scheduling conflicts.

“Well, there’s always next year,” she said.

The Worcester State College senior plans for more live performances in the near future, including Holden Days on Aug. 25 and the Sterling Fair in September. There’s a full-length album in the works that will be released before the end of the year.